Bomb squad called after suspicious packages found

Natalie Walker

Residents were evacuated from their homes after suspicious packages were found at a house.

An army bomb disposal team from Greater Manchester Police was called to Rainbow Drive in Atherton at 1pm on Thursday after they received reports of suspect packages at a property.

Locals posted pictures on the Atherton Residents Association Facebook page as they reported seeing the Royal Logistics Corps bomb disposal team removing suspect packages from a house in the road.

Greater Manchester Police confirmed that the items found at the property were not dangerous and have been described as “dummy” explosives.

A spokesman for Greater Manchester Police said: “Police called for the assistance of the Explosive Ordnance Disposal team and they were able to confirm that these are not viable explosives but are dummy explosives.